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David Roy Nicol - Information

David Roy Nicol was a member of a large and long standing family of Campbelltown. He was born in Campbelltown in 1894 to George and Martha Nicol. His parents then moved the family to Narellan. When David was older, he started working as a general labourer. A few months after the Gallipoli Campaign started he decided to join the AIF. David enlisted while he was at sea on the 26th of July 1915 at 21 years of age. He had joined up a month after his cousin, Frank Jenner Nicol.

After training, David was shipped overseas for war service. He arrived in Egypt, and in early March 1916 was taken on strength to the 45th Battalion. The following month, David was transferred to the Transport Section at Serapeum and was appointed a Driver. After a short stay in hospital with influenza, he was transported to France at the beginning of June. He then served on the Western Front, working tirelessly transporting vital war material. So much so, that he was recommended for a Military Medal in October 1917, for bravery and devotion to duty. On the 28th of September 1917, David was completing details on the Menin Road during the Ypres Campaign, taking rations to Battalion Headquarters on Westhoek Ridge. The Germans were shelling the road heavily and there were a large number of casualties and wreckage. He had great difficulty in delivering his supplies, but was able to keep them and his team safe. He was not awarded a medal, although, was ‘congratulated’ for his efforts by General Birdwood, commander of the AIF. David was then appointed Lance Corporal on the 7th of October 1918. He survived the war, and continued to work on the Western Front. In mid January 1919, he was sent to England, where he stationed to Sutton Veny Depot. He was then marched out to the Training Brigade at Codford in early February. He was then sent back to Australia in early April on the Warwickshire and later discharged from the military in July. In 1920, David married Alice Vernon in Goulburn and moved to Auburn.